Quality and Accuracy of SU-16?

[Justang]

Not quite ready for the junk pile?
Way off base there.

[grammaton76]

Not quite ready for the junk pile?
Way off base there.

I believe what he meant was that the rifle does have some redeeming features to it you just can't get anywhere else. Namely, the aforementioned pack gun features, etc.

[NorCalAl]

When I read your replies (those of you that own the SU-16), it seems there's a lot of qualifications to the "pretty good" ratings. Like I said before, that kind of bothers me. If I could get one for $499 + fees, ok. But again, here it's more like $600+ + fees and that's not acceptable for something I end up making excuses for. I'm not interested in a pack gun nor do I find the stowage of mags in the stock a really needed feature. Rather, accuracy, quality and reliability are the features I seek.
I think I'd rather spend just a couple hundred more for the BM 'neutered' Cal version. Seems like you can put any top end on it you want - and there's tons of choices there. If/when I do move, I can sell the lower (if needed) before I leave and buy a normal one in my new state.
I realize some folks would consider the extra $300 or so too much, but I think I'd rather be in the gun a grand and not make excuses than spend six hundred and say 'yeah, but I can put a couple mags in the stock'. This of course IHMO. I'm not slamming in any way someone that disagrees. Just taken the 'cheap but OK' route too many times in my life and always regretted it afterwards.

[maxicon]

Really, it boils down to what you want to use it for. The SU16 and AR are different classes of gun, in California at least. I put the SU16 in the same general class as the Mini 14, the M1 Carbine, and the SKS.

As an accurate 1 MOA range gun or long-range varmint gun, no, it won't fill the bill, and there's no way to make it, AFAIK. You're better off with a bolt-action or a fixed-mag AR.

As a SHTF gun, it's much better than any fixed-mag AR. It's not as well-proven as the Mini, but is lighter, more accurate, more portable, and much easier to get affordable good-quality 10 round mags for.

I like mine a lot more than my Mini 14, mostly because its 2-3 MOA accuracy is a lot better than my Mini, which runs closer to 5 MOA. It's nowhere near as accurate as any of my ARs, but they all cost a lot more, and reloading isn't something you want to have to do in a hurry.

Now, I'm not happy with the non-Picatinny spec rail (which is only on the A model - all later ones meet the spec), but I haven't had any problems with stability of stuff mounted to it. I've mounted several red dots and scopes ranging from a little 4x Cmore scope to a big Leupold 4-12x40, and everything's stayed put through hundreds of rounds. Others may have had problems with this, but I haven't read any first-hand accounts.

max

[bu-bye]

the SU-16 is a fine gun as long as you understand that its not a tack driver or a club you can hit people with. My CA model has worked 100% and yes I did get sub MOA with my reloads. I had to fire off 6-8 different reloads but I found one that the SU-16 liked.

SU VS fixed mag AR? It all depends what you want to do. If you like target shooting, then an AR is what you need. If you want to just shoot stuff up like cans and trees then an SU is what will work better. Nothing sucks more then having to load a fixed mag while plunking IMO.

Here are a couple pics of my sub MOA group. Its 15/16" BUT.... it is sub MOA

http://64.124.10.205/su16ca/su16camoa.jpg

http://64.124.10.205/su16ca/su16camoa2.jpg

[g00b]

I really like my CA! I can group about 2-3 moa with iron sights on a calm day. Good enough for me! So far it's worked quite well with only a few FTF's and stovepipes over about 300 rds now. And no failures in the last 150 or so, think it just needed to break in.

Something somewhat overlooked is the outright "fun factor". It's small, light, and shoulders and points extremely well. Probably the best off-hand shooter I've ever shot. And that includes some ar-15's, mini 14's, etc... For me at least, it just has the right "feel".

Great all-around fun gun regardless of the cheap price. If you don't need sub moa performance, buy it, you won't regret it.

I'm a bit concerned about the reciever galling mentioned above.

Artherd, care to elaborate? What model, what sort of galling? Is it chewing up the plastic reciever? I'll keep an eye on mine. At least they're known for excellent customer service.